The Orvis Fly-Fishing Podcast

Besides breaking your fly rod in those boring old ways like car doors or ceiling fans, there are other, less obvious ways and most of them are preventable as well.  This week I chat with Charlie Robinton [49:00], rod repair expert on the Orvis Outfitter Team, and we'll explore other ways fly rods are broken—including some unusual ways they have been broken over the years, thanks to stories from our terrific rod repair team.  True, if you break an Orvis rod we can usually have it back to you in about five days—but a broken rod is still not a fun way to start (or end) a fishing trip.   In the Fly Box this week, we have some perplexing questions, tips from listeners, and some listeners who take exception to some of the things I've said in the past, including: Where can I take my sons and granddaughter on Route 20 in Idaho where they can easily catch trout? What is a good rod manufacturer? A listener describes a perplexing day on a difficult river and analyzes his day and asks Tom if he agrees. Do you take all of your fly boxes when you fish or do you determine what you will likely need for the day?  And where do you put your lunch, sunscreen, and raincoat? Last year I had great luck for pre-spawn brown trout and this year I can't hook them.  Should I keep trying different streamer patterns? A caution from a listener on serious reactions to UV resins A suggestion from a listener on sliding beads down your leader if you want to make any nymph a bead head. A listener says he has never had fly-tying threads weaken over time and disagrees with my suggestion that they can weaken after a few years. Are beaded or non-beaded flies more successful? How can I use adhesives to keep the dumbbell eyes on my Clouser Minnows from rotating? You have said trout eyes are designed to look up.  When I catch trout they are always looking down.  Why? You recommend using a throat pump.  But what good does it do you when you have already caught a fish?  And then you take their food away? Does gel flotant on a hook have a negative effect?

My guest this week is the great George Daniel [42:00], who is always pushing the envelope, evolving and experimenting.  He tells us why he uses a 10-foot fly rod for nearly all of his trout fishing, even in smaller streams and he also introduces a new nymphing technique he has been experimenting with.   In the Fly Box this week, we have a great variety of questions and tips, including: Can I use a poly leader in salt water for stripers? Why do I find fewer and smaller fish in low water conditions later in the season? How often do you find yourself adjusting indicator depth in medium and large rivers? What should I do with the reject flies from my tying bench? Is a bow-and-arrow cast stealthier than a roll cast in small streams? I see large crayfish in a stream.  Why don't I see smaller crayfish? Are fiberglass rods more sensitive than graphite rods? Do creek chubs compete with brown trout? What can I do to keep the wings on my parachute flies at 90 degrees once I start fishing them? I found I could double haul better with some Orvis rods I tried than with entry level rods I have.  Is it simply the difference between a premium rod and my current lower level rods? I keep breaking off coho salmon.  What could I be doing wrong? Can I fish egg and worm patterns and streamers with my 7-foot, 4-weight rod? A tip from a listener—if you want to find out where trout live in a particular river, observe them from a bridge. Is there an organization devoted specifically to smallmouth bass?

Hal Herring [50:31] has been reporting on conservation issues in the American West for over 30 years for Field & Stream magazine as well as other publications.  In this week's podcast, he explores the many complexities of trying to keep enough water in our rivers for both agriculture and trout populations, which has become an increasingly difficult juggling act.  Hal also gently berates today's hunters and anglers about educating themselves on the science and the politics behind these issues.  It's not enough to just complain about the lack of water—it's important to understand the issue before you can have a credible  opinion.   In the Fly Box this week, we have some great tips and questions, including: Do bamboo and fiberglass rods load differently than graphite rods? When you have a very limited time on a river, do you have a fishing method that gives you the most bang for your buck? Is there an alternative to the "chuck and duck" method for fishing for salmon and steelhead on Michigan rivers? If you are buying older fly tying material, what should you look for to make sure it has not been degraded? How would you adjust your fly selection for smallmouth bass throughout the season? Is rising or falling water better on a fluctuating tailwater? Can I use my 10-foot, 8-weight rod in the surf?   If my Mop flies have fallen apart, can I easily add a new piece of mop material to the hook and bead?  I am not a fly tier. Are two three-turn whip finishes better than a single 6-turn whip finish?   A tip that textured lines in a long day of stripping flies can cut into your fingers Is the San Juan Shuffle ethical? Is a fast action 5-weight rod actually a 6-weight? I have been lipping bass for many years.  Why do you say it's bad for the fish?

Helen Neville [38:57] is Trout Unlimited's senior scientist and also an expert in trout genetics.  In this interview, we talk about what scientists have learned about trout evolution and relationships in the past decade.  They now have tools at their disposal that can tell them how closely two trout populations are related, how much hatchery trout have interbred with wild populations, and how various races and subspecies of trout have evolved.  You'll also learn how they extract this DNA and study it—but you had better review your high school or college genetics first because it gets a bit complex.   In the Fly Box this week, we have some great questions and a couple helpful tips from listeners, including: A listener from Germany relates a horrible experience he had with a guide Can I underline my Orvis bamboo fly rod? What do you think putting a strip of material on a leader as a "worm attractor"? A great tip from a listener of how to make a paddle and rod rest for a canoe A warning from a listener that the drop shot method of fishing nymphs is illegal in California—and possibly other places. A listener wants to know if he can effectively use the Euro nymph technique with a 10-foot, 5-weight rod What is the best way to get polarized glasses for someone who needs a strong prescription.  Do clip-ons work well? Should I lubricate the zipper on my Pro Zippered Waders? When fighting fish, is tippet size or rod weight the deciding factor? When by myself, how do I take a photo of a fish so that I can later judge its size? Why is fall fishing better?  Do trout feed heavily in anticipation of winter? What size leader and tippet should I use for carp, and should I use my 6-weight or 8-weight rod? I tie my tippet directly to my fly line for small stream brook trout.  What advantages will I have by going to a tapered leader? Do brook trout in a small meadow stream move throughout the season?

The Battenkill is an iconic and often frustrating trout stream.  It's a gorgeous river with a healthy population of wild trout but it has had its ups and downs over the years.  Doug Lyons [49:48] is a lifetime Battenkill expert and knows the river perhaps better than anyone, and his new book Fly Fishing Guide to the Battenkill unravels many secrets of this special river—perhaps more than many of us locals are comfortable with!  Doug and I had fun sharing our theories and thoughts about the river.   In the Fly Box this week, I have some especially interesting questions  from listeners, including: I have been experimenting with streams on a floating line with a short leader with no success.  What am I doing wrong, and what do you suggest? Is there a way to tell the various subspecies of cutthroat trout apart? What are the pros and cons of smooth vs. textured lines? Why are reel prices so expensive these days?  Aren't they just used to store line? How can I tell what line size a bamboo rod takes?  I bought an old rod that has no markings on it. Why don't more fly shops sell nymphs with matte beads? Will I save money by tying my own flies? How can I identify the various mayflies and caddisflies I have in southern Michigan? Why do I get tippet curls just ahead of my fly when I tie it on?  I have tried a couple knots and they still seem to do it. Will a Spey rod with a larger line size cast farther than a lighter one like a 6-weight? A reminder from a listener about the perils to wildlife of using lead weights in fishing. Will it hurt to store my fly line on the reel in the off-season? What tools do you personally use in fly tying and which are the most important? If I am making my own leaders should I use blood knots or surgeon's knots to connect the sections? Does it matter which way your fly is oriented when fishing?

This week, my guest is long-time Orvis-endorsed guide George Hunker [49:26], who has won two awards (guide of the year and the coveted lifetime achievement award) for his excellence in creating wonderful experiences for his customers.  George has a lifetime of experience in fishing alpine lakes in the Wind River range in Wyoming, and his tips will be valuable to anyone who fishes these wilderness gems for trout.   In the Fly Box this week, we have a varied assortment of questions about tackle, fly tying, and techniques, including: Am I missing out by just fishing close to home and not putting more exotic trips on the calendar? How can I stop my streamer tails from wrapping around the bend of the hook? Can I use a heavy switch rod for fishing in the surf in North Carolina and also for king salmon in Michigan? Can I tie large nymphs or streamers on some old Mustad salmon hooks?  How about saltwater flies? I want to get an 8-weight rod.  Should I get a Recon or Clearwater? How do you fish scuds in lakes? What is the best way to fish a short, narrow, deep, and fast pool in high water? Why can't I catch many trout on dry flies in small Missouri wild trout streams? Why do some 6-weight rods have fighting butts?  Do I need one to fish for trout in Virginia? What fly line do you recommend for striped bass in the Chesapeake region? How can I keep the eyes from coming off my deer hair bass bugs? Why not use a small perfection loop instead of a tippet ring? Why would you not fish a dropshot rig with nymphs all the time? How can I explore other parts of a favorite trout stream?  What should I look for?

Northern pike are a fascinating and explosive fish to catch on a fly rod.  There is not much that beats a big northern smashing a streamer close to the surface or eating a popper.  Josh Nugent [47:05] is a very experienced pike angler and has a host of tips on tackle, leaders, flies, retrieves, and how to find pike all year long.  This episode should really be called Everything You Need to Know about Fly Fishing for Pike, but Josh loves those Seven Deadly titles so I'm going with it.   In the Fly Box this week, we have some great questions, both basic and more advanced, including: What rod and reel do I need for chasing king salmon in Great Lakes rivers? Are posts on parachute flies for us or for the fish?  Do they imitate wings on a mayfly or are they just a strike indicator for us? How do I keep my line from tangling in a canoe? I have trouble seeing small ants and beetles on the water.  What can I do to help see them better? A listener offers another reason why we love trout fishing so much. What is the best strategy for fishing in the rain? What do you do when dry-dropper fishing in small streams with varying depth?  Do you constantly adjust the length of your dropper? Why do I see only one brook trout in a series of pools in tiny streams?  And do brook trout populations fluctuate from year to year? What detrimental effect would ammonia have on breathable waders?  If it is not recommended, what should I use to wash my waders? Is there a store-bought solution for leaders longer than 12 feet long?  And do you have any tips on getting them to straighten? Why are tarpon guides so obsessed with tying their own leaders? How much does time of day matter when trout fishing?

You may have some amazing fly fishing right in your neighborhood even if you live in a big city.  Urban fly fishing may not be pristine, but it has its own charms and moments of excitement, and you don't need to drive for hours to get to it.  James Spica [46:05], fishing manager of Orvis Royal Oak, gives us good tips on finding this kind of fishing in your area, what species you might encounter, and some tips for making the most of your experience.   In the Fly Box this week, we have some great questions as usual, including: Are there any fly-tying materials made from plant fibers? Are trout equally susceptible to stress in low water temperatures as they are in high water temperatures? What is the best way to dye bucktails? What feathers should I keep for tying from ducks I harvest? What is the difference between the Blackout 8-weight rod and the Helios 3 8-weight rods? What's a good rod for small stream brook trout fishing? Do you need to open your casting loops with leaders over 13 feet long? In a Pile Cast, will the line and leader butt hit the water before the tippet and fly? Is it OK to put my rod and reel in the water when landing a fish? What can we do about the flood damage in Vermont?  What will the fishing be like in the near future? What is the most effective way to interact with the people in a fly shop when looking for information? Why can't I get white Woolly Buggers to work in my river?  I hear people have good luck with them. What's a good rod for smallmouth and smaller stream steelhead fishing? Does underlining a rod help for longer casts? What is a short heavy rod, like the old 7'11" Recon rod for 8-weight, used for?

My guest this week is Matt Miles [55:11], 2023 Orvis Guide of the Year.  Matt has extensive experience guiding for trout in the Rocky Mountains, but has returned to his home state of Virginia to concentrate on warmwater species, especially smallmouth bass.  Matt offers 10 great tips for fishing for summer smallmouth in rivers based on his extensive experience.   In the Fly Box this week we have some interesting questions and also some great tips from listeners, including: I got advice on the right fly patterns from local guides on my river but I am still struggling.  What else would you suggest? What flies do you suggest for targeting freshwater stripers in rivers? I can only afford one guide trip.  Should I pick an easier river with stocked (but large) trout or should I go to the more technical river with wild but tougher trout? Why do you recommend cutting the back hook off an articulated streamer and not the front hook?  Don't fish attack baitfish at the head? I would like a longer fiberglass 3-weight rod for small streams.  Why don't you make them in 9- or 10-foot models? I am terrible at spotting fish.  Do you have any tips? Six great tips from a listener for novice to intermediate anglers on trout water I have trouble tying Perfection Loops in material smaller than 3X.  What do you suggest? Some great advice from a listener on how to get a friend or spouse more interested in fly fishing. I am having trouble Euro nymphing.  I only catch a fish or two in a 3-hour trip.  I know I am getting deep enough and I have the right fly patterns.  Do you have any tips? Do you have a systematic approach when working a piece of water? Why don't my flies work as well as live eggs when fishing in murky water for pink salmon? Anything I can do to land more fish that get downstream of me? The fly shop said to fish big Stimulators but I couldn't hook any fish that rose to them.  Then I went to a smaller Elk Hair Caddis and was able to hook them.  Why? If I am not catching any fish could it be there are no fish there?  Or fish are there but not feeding?  Or are they feeding on something else and I am not using the right fly?  And how long should I stay in one spot if I am not hooking any?

My guest this week is Jeremie Prine [47:39], owner and head guide of Dunoir Fly Fishing Adventures of Dubois, Wyoming.  He specializes in fishing small wilderness creeks (as well as larger rivers) in Wyoming and is one of the best small-stream anglers I have ever met.  Jeremie shares his tips on finding these streams, how to fish them, and of course what flies he likes for bluelining.  He also gives some great tips on exploring in grizzly bear country, and you should pay attention to his tips, because in a lifetime of chasing fish in the back country he has never had to use bear spray (but he still carries it every time he goes out). In the Fly Box this week, we have some excellent tips form listeners, as well as many questions on fly fishing conundrums, including: All the size 16 dry flies I had bent open in large trout.  I bought cheap flies online.  Is this common, or did I make a mistake? I saw bass jumping for dragonflies and chasing baitfish but when I tried to match these, I had no luck on the bass.  Any suggestions? I have trouble shooting line.  It either lands too hard or piles up on the water.  What am I doing wrong? Can I use a 2-weight or even a 1-weight rod on small streams if I am using smaller flies? Should I expect rainbow and brown trout in the UK to behave the same way and eat the same flies in the UK as in the US? A great suggestion from a listener that when fishing in the Big Hole Valley, it's as important to clean, inspect, and dry our wading gear as it is to take care in releasing fish. I am having trouble making long downstream mends in the rain because the line sticks to my rod.  What can I do? A great tip from a listener on how to dye white rubber net bags to a darker color for better photos. Is there any reason not to tie giant hopper patterns for bass? Some great tips and new insights from a listener on how to land more big trout. If I see certain nymphs when turning over rocks in a river, how far can I deviate from them when choosing my nymph patterns? What can I do when faced with high, turbid water and bright, sunny skies? Should we take the same care in releasing bass as we do with trout? What is the best thing to do when I hook a trout deep in its throat and can't get the hook out easily?